Chapter 222: Cleaning House
Elder Chen glanced at Fang Yu, totally unfamiliar with him, and without saying much, turned and left.
The other members of the Chen Family immediately surrounded Fang Yu and Chen Daotian, as if fearing they might escape.
As for Chen Xia and the others, unable to move due to the beating, they were supported and walked back.
Soon, they arrived at the center of the village, at a site with a raised platform.
It was like a football field, but with a podium and surrounded by majestic lion statues.
The area around the field was already packed with people.
Various luxury cars were parked at the perimeter.
Beautiful men and women.
Without exception, they all shared the Chen surname!
When Elder Chen appeared in view with Fang Yu and Chen Daotian—
The Chen Family members involuntarily cleared a path.
"Elder Chen was supposed to be out handling matters, how has he returned so soon?"
"Who is that behind him? Looks familiar... Chen Daotian?"
"That was quick! We just spoke of sending people to search for Chen Daotian, and he's been found just like that?"
The discussions were ceaseless on both sides.
More than ten people, following behind Elder Chen, kept close to Fang Yu and Chen Daotian.
Chen Daotian moved next to Fang Yu and whispered, "This is the Law Enforcement Field… it's where the Chen Family holds discussions and makes big decisions, such as electing a new village head or punishing those who have made grave mistakes…"
"What if it rains?" Fang Yu asked.
"Uhh... Bro Yu, can we not fuss about this? I'm already nervous to death; this place is a den of high-level Martial Artists…" Chen Daotian rolled his eyes.
"Getting nervous about going back to your own home, look at your lack of ambition."
"…"
The duo, constantly pointed at by numerous onlookers, made Chen Daotian anxious despite his breakthrough to the Martial Arts Sixth Layer.
Fang Yu could see the immense shadow this place cast over him.
In a moment, they reached the central area of the Law Enforcement Field.
The surrounding Chen Family members crowded in.
Only then did Fang Yu and Chen Daotian notice Chen Qingze, with his white hair, sitting on an armchair on the podium, looking quite grim.
"Elder, today truly is a coincidence, I just met Chen Daotian at the village entrance!" Elder Chen bowed and said.
Chen Qingze suddenly widened his eyes, his piercing gaze fell upon the law enforcement field.
He recognized Chen Daotian with just one look.
Meanwhile, he completely ignored Fang Yu standing beside him.
"Chen Daotian! You still dare to come back!?"
Before Chen Daotian could respond, Elder Chen interjected, "The once every five years ceremony to honor the heavens is about to begin, this kid had been bragging five years ago about visiting his father's grave, and to think he actually dared to come back!"
Fang Yu then understood why Chen Daotian was desperate to climb the combat strength rankings within a month... he was seeking recognition from the Chen Family!
The name Chen Daotian echoed throughout the entire Law Enforcement Field.
"Is it Chen Daotian?"
"This kid, disappeared five years ago, how come he suddenly appears now?"
"Someone from the Lu Family visited yesterday, asking us to hand over Chen Daotian."
"No wonder… I heard that the Jin Family collapsed overnight, and it has a lot to do with Chen Daotian."
"Really? He's capable of that?"
However…
Chen Daotian and Fang Yu tuned out all these murmuring.
"Why wouldn't I dare?" Chen Daotian looked up at Chen Qingze, the village chief, and confidently said.
Chen Qingze snorted coldly.
Looking around, he commanded, "Where are the four Great Elders of the Chen Family?"
Swish, swish, swish, swish.
Four figures walked out from the side of the platform.
All donned in black Martial Artist Robes.
All in their fifties.
Chen Daotian leaned his head and quietly said to Fang Yu, "Bro Yu, these are the four Great Elders of the Chen Family, all at the pinnacle of the Martial Arts Fifth Layer."
"Truly impressive," Fang Yu remarked.
"…"
Chen Qingze on the stage slowly stood up, looking like a celestial being. Walking to the edge of the platform, from his elevated position, he asked:
"Chen Daotian, I ask you, did you orchestrate the incident with the Jin Family?"
Chen Daotian answered confidently:
"Yes, I did it. What about it?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Qingze became infuriated, his beard bristling as he glared and exclaimed, "How daring! Tell me, who else is behind you? With your strength alone, how could you possibly take on the Jin Family?"
Before Chen Daotian could reply, Fang Yu loudly declared from the side:
"Behind him, it is I."
—Swoosh—
All eyes turned to him.
Everyone stared at Fang Yu, unblinking.
Who is this person?
Speculations stirred all around.
With a piercing gaze, Chen Qingze questioned, "And you are?"
Fang Yu took a step forward and said, "I am Chen Daotian's brother… enough with the rambling. Let's get to the point." Saying this, he signaled to Chen Daotian with a glance.
Chen Daotian nodded and spoke loudly:
"Chen Qingze… you promised me that if I entered the top five in the combat rankings, you would allow me entry to the Chen Family's Cemetery. It's time to honor that promise, isn't it?"
"How dare you!"
The Elder at the forefront scolded, "How dare you address the chief by name?"
Chen Daotian slightly frowned and retorted:
"It's truly laughable. You don't regard me as one of the Chen Family, yet you impose on me the standards of the Chen Family… Are you foolish or just plain stupid?"
"You—"
The Elder, fuming with anger and unwilling to argue with Chen Daotian any longer, turned and bowed saying, "Chief, it's him that the Lu Family wants. Keeping this disgrace is pointless; better hand him over to the Lu Family to avoid trouble."
"I agree with the Great Elder's view!"
"I also concur, this man must not stay!"
All four Great Elders unanimously agreed, bowing.
Meanwhile, those around began to point at and gossip about Chen Daotian.
"Scum! After so many years, still no self-improvement! Relying on others to reach the top five in the combat rankings is nothing to brag about!"
"We should quickly hand him over to the Lu Family; this disgrace is dragging us down, it's infuriating!"
"Yes! Chief, we strongly demand that he be bound and handed over to the Lu Family!"
"I support this!"
A few instigators are all it takes for more to join in.
Suddenly, at the Law Enforcement Field, all Chen Family members raised their fists, waving them.
And shouting loudly:
"Take him down!"
"Take him down!"
"Take him down!"
The voices thundered, wave after wave.
Watching these once "familial" faces, Chen Daotian couldn't help but scoff at himself, saying, "Brother Yu, what a farce you're witnessing."
"It's no laughing matter; you came back prepared to face any situation," Fang Yu responded indifferently.
Chen Daotian nodded, his lingering worries vanishing in an instant, his eyes clearing up—
If reason won't prevail.
Then let force settle it!
Surveying his surroundings, he finally fixed his gaze on Chen Qingze and declared:
"If you want to take me down, let's see if you have the capability!"
The Great Elder, unable to contain himself any longer, bellowed, "Brat, relying on others to push into the top five of the combat rankings, do you think I'd fear you? Today, right here at the Law Enforcement Field, we will clean house!"
"Clean house!"
"Clean house!"
"Clean house!"
The shouts around were unrelenting!
PS: One more chapter on the way.